Automatic phonograph control



Nov. 7, 1944. F. J. cHoJNowsKl AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH CONTROL Filed Sept.2, 1941 Patented Nov. 7, 1944 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH CONTROL Francis J.Chojnowski, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The `.lohn Gabel ManufacturingCompany, a corporation of Illinois Application September 2, 1941, SerialNo. 409,215

Claims. (Cl. 179-63) lThis invention relates `to automatic phonographcontrol and it has particular reference to the control of an automaticphonograph `from so-called booth or wall'boxes. The present inventionalso contemplates inconnection with the remote control of the automaticphonograph a communication system whereby a patron in a booth or thelike may employ the wall box speaker as a microphone to communicate witha counter attendantfor ordering oi such service as may be desired. VThecommunication system further contemplates. an arrangement in which thecounter attendant may also talk to the patron, A typical installationmay be in a restaurant where a number of booths are provided. Each boothwillv be equipped with a wall box or unit and all of the wall unitswill, of course, be connected to an automatic phonograph and also to acounter speaker-microphone unit. The latter is not, however, connectedto the automatic phonograph. It may therefore be said that the object ofthe present invention is to provide an automatic phonograph controlembodying an ar- A rangement wherebyQ-the-speaker unit through which thephonograph'music is received may also be employed as'a microphone totransmit orders to an attendantwho will receive them through a`speaker-microphone located at a convenient place.

'I'he invention herein contemplated involves no new mechanisms per sebut has to do primarily with electrical circuits and connectionsemployed.

A typical installation circuit is diagrammatically illustrated in theaccompanying drawing wherein certain elements of mechanism are alsodiagrammatically illustrated.

In the diagram, two booth or wall units are represented at A and B. Acounter speakermicrophone units is represented at C. Each wall unit suchas A and B embodies a coin slot mechanism 28, a switch 32, and a starwheel mechanism including the star wheel and an escapement 34. The Istarwheel controls a multi-unit switch embodying switch units indicated at Iil, v2li, 23, and 21. A speaker-microphone 2| preferably of thepermanent magnet dynamic type is also emboded in the wall unit.

Each wall unit is also preferably provided with a pair of multi-contactsockets represented at 46 and 41 to facilitate connection of the unit toan automatic phonograph and also to another wall unit.

In the diagram the phonograph mechanism is represented at D, the sameincluding a phonograph motor I5, an electric pick-up I6, a phonographamplifying unit II, a transformer I2, l. volume control I8 and anelectric switch 22 controlled by the phonograph mechanism. There is alsomounted in the phonograph unit an auxillary amplifying unit 36 which isemployed for amplifying the current developed when the wall unit speaker2i is employed as a microphone.

As shown, the various electrical lines from the phonograph mechanism arecarried to a multicontact plug 48 which is designed to be insertable ineither of the sockets 48 and 41 of the wall unit to thereby connect thelatter to the phonograph.

The counter unit C embodies a speaker-microphone 39 similar to thespeaker-microphone 2l and it also includes a manually actuatablemultiple switch indicated in its entirety at 49.

In the wall units A and B, the sockets 46 and 41 are connected inparallel. Assuming that the phonograph plug 48 is inserted inthe socket41 of unit A, the socket 46 of unit A mayreceive a multi-contact plug 50of an extension cord 5I, the other end of which may be equipped with asimilar plug 52 i'or engagement with eitherk of the sockets 46 or 41 cithe wall unit B. In this way-thel wall unit B may be connected to thephonograph without providing a separate set of connections from the wallunit B to the phonograph. It will, of course, be understood that it isnot essential that the sockets 46 and 41 actually be in the form ofsockets and that the plugs 48, 50 and 52 be in the vform of plugs sincethese may be reversed or alternated-as may be found most practicable.Furthermore, itis not essential that disengageable plug connections beemployed and it will be readily understood that these connections may bemade in any desirable manner. In the diagram the phonograph plug 48 isshown separated from the sockets 46 and 41 but the connectionsestablished are indicated by reference numerals which identify the linesor points which are inter-connected.

The main power line is represented ,as an input of volts alternatingcurrent at 4. Assuming that the current flows in the direction indicatedby the arrow along the line 1, it will be seen that,

the current passes through the switch the line 8 and a branch 8a into aamplifier unit II, then out of the I0, through phonograph amplifier I Iinto a branch 8b and into the line 8c of the mainl power supply. Currentalso flows from the main -,returning through the line i to thetransformer Current flowing from 4the power line l' through y the switchi@ and line 3 as above explained also flows through an extension @e ofthe line d through a phonograph motor litil and baci; through a line ofto the line tic of the power supply.

ri'he motor i5 serves, of course, to actuate the phonograph turn-tableand an electrical pickup it acts on the record and develops an outputcurrent in a line il which conducts it to the amplitying unit il. Asuitable volume control it? is incorporated in the circuit lli, thevolume control being a part of the automatic phonograph mechanism.

The phonograph current output leaves the ainpliiying unit il in line iiand passes through a switch i9 and a switch 23, through the loudspeaker2i of the booth unit and thence back through the ground to the amphi-lerunit ii. Upon completion of the playing of a record, a switch 22 isactuated by a' crank pin 23 or other suitable means constituting part ofthe phonograph mechanism. The switch 22 is closed upon completion of theplaying of a record so as to establish a circuit in a line ii from .thetransformer i2 through the switch 22 and through a switch 23 and asolenoid 24 and the grounded line i to the transformer i2.

When the solenoid 24 is energized, itv operates to turn the star wheel25 back one step. Assuming that the star wheel 25 had been advanced onlyone step, its return of one step will serve through a crank pin or othersuitable means indicated at 26 to open the switches i0, 23 and 23 so asto thereby interrupt the circuits controlled thereby. Another switch 21is closed when the star wheel 25 is returned to its starting position.The condition of the switches when the star wheel 25 is in startingposition is represented in the diagram of unit B.

To initiate the reproduction of a record, from a wall unit in thecondition in which the unit A is illustrated, a coin is deposited in thecoin slot 28. During the descent of the coin, it engages an arm 29,which depends from a pivoted member 30 in such position that the. member3U will incidentally be rocked to cause its lower corner 3| to engageone of the contacts of a switch 32 to move it into engagement with theother conthrough ground connections back to the amplifier il. The magnet3l acts on the escapement arm 33 to permit the star wheel 25 of unit Bto move one step under the influence of its spring. When the coindeposited in unit B next engages the escapement lever 33, it will forthe second time rock the escapement 34 and thereby permit the star wheel2B of unit B to move a second step.

lill

tact thereof. Closing of the switch 32 by the coin will not in thisinstance, however, result in the t passage of an electric circuit sincethe switch 32 is in series with the switch 2'! which is at that timeonen. In its descent, the coin, after leaving the arm 29, engages an arm33 which is secured to an escapement member 34. Downward rocking of thearm 33 by the coin results in rocking of the escapement 34 to therebypermit the star wheel 25 to move one step (in a clockwise direction asherein shown) under the influence of a suitable spring provided `forthat purpose.

Looking for the moment at unit B and assuming that unit A is in theposition illustrated incident to the previous deposit of a coin. it willbe seen that the dropping of a coin in unit B will first close itsswitch 32 and complete ya. circuit through its switch 21 and a magnet35. The current for the magnet 35 is preferably a low voltage, directcurrent delivered by the rectiiying section of the ampliiier i i,through `the line 4, the switch 21 and the switch 32 to the magnet 35,and

The purpose of the described double action oi the coin is to insure thatthe user of a. second booth unit will secure the reproduction of acomplete phonograph number in the event that a coin is deposited in suchsecond'booth unit while a number is being reproduced as a result of acoin previously deposited in another booth unit. it will be observedthat a coin is operative to cause two steps of advancement of thephonograph control element 25 only from the initial or starting positionin which the unit B is illustrated, and that when coins are deposited ina unit in' which the element 26 is already in an advanced 'position asshown for the unit A, the control element 25 will be advanced only onestep.

When the switch 22 is closed upon completion of the playing of a record,the circuit to the solenoid 24 is completed and all of the solenoids 24in all of the booth units which have coins deposited in them will beenergized and result in one step of return movement of the star wheel25.

'The star wheel 25 of unit B having previously been advanced two stepswill therefore (after one step of return movement), be in the positioni1- lustrated for unit A, with the result that a complete phonographselection will be reproduced in unit B. It may be noted that unit B willreceive thereproductlon .of that portion of the record paid for by unitA which remains to be played after a coin is deposited in unit B.

The star wheel 25 of each booth unit is an element of a known coincontrol mechanism whereby a number oi' coins may be deposited at onetime so as to secure substantially continuous operation of thephonograph for a corresponding number of selections.

The intercommunicating system, that is the two-way communicationprovision between the wall speaker or booth unit and the counter unitemploys an independent amplifying unit designated 3B, which is suppliedwith energizing current by suitable cable connections indicated at 33ato the ampliner unit I.

The circuit for employing the speaker 2| in the booth unit as amicrophone is completed by moving the switch i3 so that a circuit willow through the line 3 starting at the speaker-microphone 2|, through theswitch 20, the switch i9 and into the amplier unit 3 6. The circuit iscompleted from the ampliiier 36 to the ground and back to thespeaker-microphone 2|. The amplified output of the amplier '36 isthrough a line 31 through a switch 38, and branch 38a to the speaker 39and back to the amplier 36 v through a line 43. When the counterattendant wishes to answer, he presses a button indicated at 4| to openswitches 38 and 42 and close switches 43 and 44. The attendant may thenspeak into his speaker-microphone and thereby sets up a. current owingthrough the branch 38a, the switch 44, the line 45 into the amplifier 36and through the ground back to the speakermicrophone 39. The ampliedoutput then flows through the line 31, the switch 43 and line 3, throughthe switches I9 and 20 to the speakermicrophone 2| and back through theground to When two or more booth units are energized and are receivingmusic from the phonograph, each unit may establish communication withthe counter speaker by actuating the switch i9. It is thus possible fortwo or more customers to at tempt a conversation with the counter'attendant at the same time. However, this presents no serious problembecause of the fact that in the usual installation of around 20 booth orwall units, there is, as a practical matter, but little, ifany, conflictin respect of the timing of orders. In order that the counter attendantmay deliver the order to the .proper booth, each unit will, of urse, benumbered or otherwise identified and such identiication will or coursebe transmitted to the counter attendant.

In the present amplifying (and rectifying) 4umts il and 3s, radio tubesidentified commercially by the numbers 41, 42, 46, 76 and 83 areemployed as indicated, in a known manner but amplifying units employingother tubes may, of course. be substituted.

The described arrangement is desirable,` ilrst in that it places thecontrol of the phonograph directly available to patrons in a booth sothat they need not' leave the booth to operate the phonograph.

Secondly, it is desirable in that the volume of music reproduced in eachbooth or wall unit may be such that it will not disturb, the occupantsof an adjacent booth or table.

From the viewpoint of the proprietor of theV establishment in which ltheinstallation is made, it is desirable in that it enables the patrons totransmit their orders without waiting to secure the attendance of awaiter or waitress, at the occupied table or booth.

Other advantages of the invention will also be apparent to those skilledin this art, and changes in the described arrangement may be madewithout departing from the spirit or the invention, the scope of winchshould be determined by reference to the i'ollo'wing claims, whichshould be construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state ofthe art.

I claim:

" 1. In apparatus of the class described a wall unit comprising a loudspeaker, an electric 'Y switch, coin-actuated mechanism i'ormechanically actuating said switch, a coin actuated switch in serieswith said ilrst mentioned switch, and electrical means controlled bysaid switches for also actuating said coin-actuated mechanism.

2. In apparatus oi the class described, the combination of an automaticphonograph, a remote speaker-microphone connected to said phonograph andnormally serving as a phonograph 'normally serving as phonographspeaker, a counter speaker remote from both said phonograph and saidphonograph speaker-mij crophone, and electrical connections includingswitches betweensaid phonograph speaker-microphone and said counterspeaker for permit? ting temporary use `oi said phonograph speaker as amicrophone connected to said counter speaker.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an automaticphonograph, a plurality of speaker-microphone units remote from andelectrically connected to said phonograph and speakers, a counterspeaker, and means whereby said remote phonograph speaker-microphonesare independently connectable to said counter speaker, said meansincluding electrical circuits and switches for permitting temporary useof said phonograph speakers as microphones connected to said counterspeaker.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an automaticphonograph, a remote speaker-microphone connected to said phonograph, acounter speaker-microphone remote i independently converting both otsaid speakers into transmitters iorl permitting two-way communicationbetween the same.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a control unit comprising anelement which is adjustable'from an initial or starting position toprogressively advanced positions in accordance with the number ot coinsdeposited -in the unit, a pair oi' electric switches connected inseries, one of said switches being normally open and adapted -to bemomentarily closed incident to the deposit of a coin, and the other ofsaid switchesbeing operatively connected to said movable element so asto be held closed when the latter is in starting position, thelast'mentioned switch being opened when said element is adjusted to anadvanced position, means for enacting a preliminary unit oi movement ofsaid element from starting position upon closing o! said normally openswitch, and additional means for eecting a supplementary unit ofmovement of said element incident to the deposit of the coin whichinitiated such preliminary movement` and also incident to the deposit ofeach additional coin,

the open position of said initially closed switch. serving to preventadvancement oi' said element incident to the closing oi' said normallyopen switch by such additional coins. y

FRANCIS J. CHOJNOWSKI.

